Jeju Island: Where Food Reigns Supreme (and the Rain Sometimes Pours) Happy Travels
- dineconquerchew
- Sep 29, 2024
- 7 min read
After a whirlwind two nights in Seoul, we hopped on a flight to Jeju Island, a much shorter journey from Gimpo Airport compared to Incheon. With a mid-afternoon arrival, we had ample time to grab a bite to eat before checking out of our hotel. Just a five-minute stroll away, Gwangjang Market beckoned with its vibrant atmosphere and delectable food stalls.
As we wandered through the bustling market, we couldn't help but notice the familiar presence of the "Netflix lady," the charismatic street food vendor we'd seen on the popular show. Not to bother her, she was still setting up her stall, we decided to explore the market and discover other culinary delights. Check out the video of when she is open shot the day before, the queue wraps around.
With a market full of tantalising options, our goal was to discover something new and exciting. As some stalls were still preparing for the day, we ventured deeper into the market, our senses captivated by the aromas and vibrant colours.
Our exploration led us to a stall specialising in bindaetteok, a traditional Korean mung bean pancake. Intrigued by this unfamiliar dish, we decided to give it a try. We couldn't quite determine the available flavours, so we opted for a seafood variety.
The freshly cooked pancake, hot and sizzling from the shallow fryer, was a sight to behold. However, the grease turned out to be a bit overpowering for my taste. A quick drizzle of soy sauce added a much-needed balance, helping to cut through the greasiness. Surprisingly, this one pancake filled me up more than expected, leaving me with less room to explore other delicacies.
To refuel and hydrate, we grabbed a refreshing fruit smoothie before continuing our journey towards the airport.
Travel days can be a whirlwind of logistics and limited time. Despite our desire to explore, we knew that squeezing in additional activities before our flight could add unnecessary stress. Gimpo Airport, being so close to Seoul, offered a familiar experience with its bustling shops and amenities. The short flight to Jeju Island, while only about an hour, felt longer than usual due to the anticipation of our upcoming adventure. The usual airport routines of check-in, security, and boarding seemed to drag on, adding to the sense of impatience.
Stepping off the plane, we were eager to embark on our Jeju Island adventure. The first step was to locate the car rental company we had booked, Lotte Rent a Car, a popular choice among tourists. Unfortunately, the rental office wasn't located directly in the airport arrival hall. We followed the signs and made our way to the designated bus stop, where a shuttle service transported passengers between the airport and the car rental facility.
The journey to the rental office was short and straightforward, thanks to clear signage and directions. However, the process of collecting the car took longer than expected, likely due to the busy airport traffic and the number of tourists renting vehicles.
The wait time at the car rental office seemed unusually long, leading us to wonder if it was due to a busy day or technical difficulties. As we patiently waited, we were surprised to receive a complimentary gift pack – a thoughtful gesture that helped to ease the frustration.
With the limited time available on travel days, we had to make some tough decisions. We abandoned plans to visit certain attractions, knowing that we could explore them on future days. After finally settling into our hotel, we focused on resting and preparing for the next day's adventures.
After a long day of travel, we were craving a comforting and traditional Korean meal. A quick search led us to a nearby restaurant specialising in samgyetang, a ginseng chicken soup known for its restorative properties. The cozy atmosphere and the anticipation of a warm and flavourful meal made the short drive well worth it.
Day 2 dawned bright and sunny, promising a beautiful day of exploration. However, as fate would have it, the skies darkened just as we set off on our mini road trip to the southern part of Jeju Island. Navigating the unfamiliar roads and traffic was a learning experience, but we soon settled into the rhythm of driving in this picturesque region.
Our first stop was the renowned Osulloc Tea Museum, a must-visit for tea enthusiasts. The rain intensified as we arrived, but we were determined to enjoy the experience. A little caution and careful steps were necessary to navigate the wet pathways, but the museum's indoor attractions offered a welcome respite from the downpour.
With the rain pouring down, we decided to seek shelter indoors. The Teddy Bear Museum, a nearby attraction, seemed like a cozy and entertaining option. To our surprise, the museum offered much more than just teddy bears. Exhibits featuring famous artworks and scenes recreated with these adorable stuffed animals provided a light-hearted and enjoyable experience. We spent a couple of hours exploring the museum, discovering hidden gems and appreciating the creative displays.
Since our big lunch had filled us up, we decided to hold off on dinner until later in the evening. A casual stroll around the hotel area led us to a BBQ restaurant that caught our eye. While we weren't in the mood for smoky clothes today, the restaurant offered other tempting options. We settled on a refreshing beef salad and a hearty tomato beef noodle soup, a satisfying end to a day of exploring.
Day 3 dawned with another promise of exploration, and we were eager to delve into the eastern side of Jeju Island. Aqua Planet Jeju, a renowned aquarium, was our destination. Despite being a Thursday, the aquarium was bustling with activity, a testament to its popularity. Finding a parking spot was a bit of a challenge, requiring a few laps around the parking lot before securing a spot. Our timing proved fortuitous as we arrived just in time for a water performance show. The arena filled with eager spectators, and we were guided to our seats. The show was a captivating blend of high-diving acts, sea lion feeding demonstrations, and other marine marvels. It was a fantastic start to our aquarium adventure.
The rest of the aquarium offered a more leisurely pace, allowing us to wander through the various exhibits at our own pace. The serene atmosphere and diverse marine life created a relaxing and educational experience.
As we continued our exploration, we stumbled upon a delightful surprise: a pop-up event featuring Yumi's Cells, a beloved South Korean TV show. Having watched the first season before our trip, we were excited to see what the event had in store. The interactive light displays and showcases brought the characters to life, creating a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. It was a truly unexpected bonus that made our visit even more memorable.
Unfortunately, the details of our lunch have faded from memory, likely overshadowed by the excitement of the aquarium and the delicious abalone dinner that awaited us.
For dinner, we ventured along the coastline back towards the city, searching for a restaurant specialising in abalone. Our efforts were rewarded with a delightful find – a restaurant offering a set menu featuring grilled abalone on a hot plate and stone pot abalone with rice. The combination of fresh seafood and flavourful stone pot rice was a perfect end to a day filled with marine wonders and unexpected surprises.
Day 4 Our final full day in Jeju presented an opportunity to maximise our rental car adventures. We set our sights on the Manjanggul Lava Tube, a captivating natural formation created by ancient lava flows. The journey to the cave was picturesque, but the persistent rain followed us even into this underground wonder. Contrary to our expectations of a dry, cozy retreat, the cave was surprisingly damp, with occasional water leaks adding to the adventure. The unpaved paths and slippery rocks made the hike challenging, requiring careful steps and a bit of agility. However, the stunning natural formations along the way, illuminated by the limited spot lighting, made the journey worthwhile.
Completing the hike injury-free was a small victory in itself, a testament to our determination and the cave's allure.
As we left for a nearby town, we noticed the increased activity in the nearby area of Hamdeok. The urbanised atmosphere was a stark contrast to the natural beauty we had just experienced. Our search for a place to eat led us on a parking adventure, as finding a vacant spot seemed like a rare treasure.
A local mishap taught us a valuable lesson – parking in front of a shop, even if you plan to dine next door, can lead to unexpected consequences. A stern reminder from a shopkeeper about reserved parking spots made us just sigh.
Determined to find a suitable dining spot, we embarked on a more traditional search, scanning the surroundings for a place that caught our eye. Our efforts were rewarded with a cozy noodle soup and mandoo shop. The homemade mandoo were surprisingly large, a generous serving that even the most hearty appetite might struggle to finish. The waitress kindly warned us about the possibility of overestimating our portions, but the temptation of extra dumplings was too much to resist.
With our bellies full and our bodies weary from the day's adventures, we returned to our hotel, ready to rest and recharge for our final day in Jeju.
Day 5 Our final day in Jeju was a bittersweet mix of anticipation for our upcoming flight to Busan and a desire to make the most of our remaining time. The weather, surprisingly, turned sunny, adding a touch of irony to our departure.
With limited time, we focused on savouring the local flavors one last time. A standout was the hairtail silver fish, a Jeju specialty that we had been eager to try. This delicious seafood dish was the perfect way to end our food journey on the island.
As our departure time approached, we made our way back to the airport. Despite the limited time, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for our next adventure in Busan. Jeju Island had so much to offer, and I knew I would be returning to explore more of its hidden gems in the future.
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